Why was douglas mawson on macquarie island

His interests also included the geochemistry of igneous and metamorphic rocks, the geological significance of algae, the origin of carbonaceous sediments and the identification of the rarer minerals. His stature enabled him to draw widely on the assistance of specialists around the world in describing rocks and fossils collected in Australia and Antarctica.

Mawson's extensive field-work was carried out on foot, by horse-and-cart, camel, and with motor vehicles. He was usually accompanied by students, who learned not only about geology but also about camping and survival in the bush, an activity which Mawson always enjoyed. As a result of his initiatives, the support of the Australian National Research Council, and the backing of the Australian government which resulted from a decision of the Imperial Conference of , Mawson was invited to organize and lead the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition of and This expedition used the ship Discovery and did not establish land bases.

They made extensive geological and biological investigations at Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Heard Island and at many points along the miles km of coastline of Antarctica between 43 degrees E and degrees E longitude.

They were greatly assisted by the use of a small aircraft. Much of the coast was mapped for the first time and it was shown to be continuous from the Ross Sea to Enderby Land and beyond.

This work provided accurate geographic data that supported the Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act of The Act came into force in and, by arrangement with the British government, established the Australian Antarctic Territory. But the main occupation of the expedition was marine science, which included extensive oceanographic work and marine biological sampling.

Over the next fifty years detailed examination of the various species collected was carried out by specialists all over the world and their results described in the thirteen volumes of the B.

Scientific Reports. Sir Archibald Grenfell Price gives a cautious evaluation:. Apart from geology and Antarctica, Mawson cultivated a broad range of interests including conservation, farming and forestry. He was a persistent advocate of decimal measures, a supporter of strict regulation of the whaling industry, and was influential in having Macquarie Island declared a sanctuary.

Mawson owned and worked a small farm, which he named Harewood, at Meadows, south of Adelaide, and he was a founder and, for over thirty years, a director of S. Hardwoods Pty Ltd. He retired at That year the university published a volume of contributions to geology titled Sir Douglas Mawson Anniversary Volume and named the new geology building after him.

Its library incorporates Mawson's collection of polar literature, his Antarctic diaries, a substantial collection of papers, correspondence, photographic records and objects of historical importance. In the Douglas Mawson chair of geology was created.

Numerous biological species and geographical places have been named in his honour, among them Mawson Coast and Mawson, the first permanent Australian station, established in , in Antarctica.

He was a fellow of the Royal Society from , a foundation fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, and president of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science in Numerous honours and awards included: two Italian decorations, the Royal Geographical Society's Antarctic and Founders' medals, Polar medals, gold medals of the geographical societies of America, Chicago, Paris and Berlin, the von Mueller medal of A.

In the Australian Academy of Science established the Mawson lecture. As part of the celebrations of the centenary of Mawson's birth in , the Fourth International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Science was held at the University of Adelaide and the proceedings were dedicated to his memory.

The A. But he was first and foremost a scientist, dedicated to the advancement of his subject and the encouragement of his students. He did not propound new, fundamental theories but he extended and developed geological thinking and knowledge over a wide range of topics and locations, and through his leadership created opportunities for the realization of major developments in many disciplines.

His lectures about Antarctica were widely acclaimed around the world. As a lecturer to undergraduates his reputation varies, but his inspiration is universally acclaimed. In appreciation, Mawson named MacRobertson Land after the entrepreneurial owner of the Melbourne confectionery company. Crucial work was successfully completed on voyages along much of the Antarctic coastline, and sub-Antarctic Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Heard Island. On his return to Australia in , Mawson achieved public acclaim for his achievements, and received a knighthood.

Mawson also received great recognition in the scientific community. He was made a fellow of the Royal Society of London in , a foundation fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, and president of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science from to In recognition of his achievements in Antarctica, Mawson station , established in , was named after him. Why live in Antarctica?

Behind this towering figure was a man of great intellect, leadership skill, and tenacity. As a polar explorer, his exploits match those of any of his peers in the heroic era of Antarctic discovery. And his heroic fame came not from reaching a symbolic geographic goal as did Amundsen , or a death march on failing to get back as for Scott. His came from a remarkable story of lone survival against the odds. In late he led a small overland coastal party to explore the region between East Antarctica and the area discovered by Scott.

The long return to base at Cape Denison, eating the starving dogs, took the life of his companion, Xavier Mertz. Mawson was left alone to return to tell of the disaster. Sir Douglas Mawson died in , but his contribution to Antarctic exploration will never be forgotten. He is remembered as a man with a true commitment to his science, and one of the most outstanding explorers of the 20th century.

Home Explore history Learn skills For teachers Search. The lack of food forced Mawson and Mertz to eat their dogs, but Mertz died regardless, leaving Mawson to face the terrifying journey back, alone: Outside the bowl of chaos as brimming with drift-snow and as I lay in the sleeping-bag beside my dead companion I wondered how, in such conditions, I would manage to break and pitch camp single-handed. Additional resources.